While Definition

wīl, hwīl

whiled, whiles, whiling

noun

whiles

A period or space of time.

A short while.

Webster's New World

The time, effort, or trouble taken in doing something.

The project wasn't worth my while.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

conjuntion

During or throughout the time that.

We waited while she dined.

Webster's New World

At the same time that.

While you're up, close the door.

Webster's New World

Although on the one hand.

While he was not poor, he had no ready cash.

Webster's New World

But; however.

The soles are leather, while the uppers are canvas.

American Heritage

Whereas; and on the other hand.

The walls are green, while the ceiling is white.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
briefly
for a short time
for a time
whereas
even-though
though
throughout the time that
in the time that
during
whilst
at the same time that
during the time that

verb

To spend (time) in a pleasant way; cause to pass idly.

To while away the afternoon.

Webster's New World

To loiter.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
wile
waste
trifle away
idle
fiddle away
Also used with away: dawdle
kill

preposition

Until.

Webster's New World

idiom

between whiles

now and then; at intervals

Webster's New World

the while

at the same time; during this very time

Webster's New World

worth someone's while

worth someone's time, consideration, etc.; profitable in some way

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of While

Noun

Singular:

while

Plural:

whiles

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to While

between whiles
the while
worth someone's while

Origin of While

From Old English hwīl, from Proto-Germanic *hwīlō. Cognate with Low German wil, German Weile.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old English hwīl kweiə- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition